“Assistant General Manager Leary commenced as secretary to General Superintendent O’Brien and for years was his faithful lieutenant. Subsequently he was made assistant to the general manager and then appointed assistant general manager.
“Traffic Manager Loop began his express career as messenger in the Adams Express Company’s service, and was particularly prominent in express operations during the war. He was for many years auditor and cashier of the western department of the Southern Express Company, and upon the consolidation of the eastern and western departments was made general auditor, succeeding from that position to his present office.
“Superintendent Hulbert began service as local agent at West Point, Georgia, in 1858, and with the exception of four years, during which time he was in the war, has been continuously in the service of the Southern Express Company ever since.
“To give some idea of the magnitude of the Southern Express Company’s business, it is only necessary to say that should their employees, with their families and others dependent for their living upon services rendered to this great enterprise, move to the State of Nevada, and the present population of that State should leave it, Nevada would have a much larger population than she has at present. In other words, the officers and employees of the Southern Express Company who are in Atlanta to-day represent a larger number of citizens of this country than do the two United States Senators who represent the State of Nevada in the upper House of Congress. Again, the amount of money invested in horses, wagons, etc., is simply fabulous, while their stationery bill for one year would make a man independently wealthy.
“The business of the company must necessarily be enormous to support and justify such an expense. It consists of forwarding freight, money, and valuables of all descriptions by the fastest passenger trains, in charge of special messengers. As forwarders of money, bonds, and valuables, they successfully compete with the government mail service. Absolute safety is guaranteed in all transactions, and in case of damage to, or loss of goods, the delay, almost inevitable in government red tape, is avoided.
“THE HANDSOME EXHIBIT.
“The Southern Express Company’s office on the Exposition grounds makes one of the handsomest exhibits to be seen. It is not, however, altogether for show, but the express business in all its branches is conducted just as it is in the Atlanta office. The pretty, tasty little office is doing a thriving business, if one can judge from the crowds which are constantly about it. Mr. M. W. Wooding is in charge of the Exposition office, and yesterday happily sustained the reputation which he has earned of being a most delightful host. Mr. Wooding is an old Atlanta boy, and has been with the Southern Express Company for the past twelve years.
“Among the well-known gentlemen who called yesterday at the express office were: H. B. Plant, President, New York City, New York; M. J. O’Brien, Vice-President and General Manager, New York City, New York; M. F. Plant, Vice-President, New York City, New York; T. W. Leary, Assistant General Manager, Chattanooga, Tennessee; C. L. Loop, Traffic Manager, Chattanooga, Tennessee; G. H. Tilley, Secretary and Treasurer, New York; F. J. Virgin, Auditor, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Superintendents—H. Dempsey, Augusta, Georgia; C. T. Campbell, Chattanooga, Tennessee; O. M. Sadler, Charlotte, North Carolina; H. C. Fisher, Nashville, Tennessee; G. W. Agee, Memphis, Tennessee; W. J. Crosswell, Wilmington, North Carolina; C. L. Myers, Jacksonville, Florida; V. Spalding, Roanoke, Virginia; C. A. Pardue, New Orleans, Louisiana; Assistant Superintendent Mark J. O’Brien, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Route Agents—J. B. Hockaday, Greenville, South Carolina; K. C. Barrett, Florence, South Carolina; S. R. Golibart, Suffolk, Virginia; P. B. Wilkes, Monroe, North Carolina; J. Cronin, Waycross, Georgia; John Lovette, Atlanta, Georgia; W. C. Agee, Memphis, Tennessee; Agents—F. L. Cooper, Savannah, Georgia; W. A. Dewes, Chattanooga, Tennessee; W. M. Shoemaker, Montgomery, Alabama; F. M. Folds, Messenger, Montgomery, Alabama.
“It would not do to close this article without giving due meed of praise to Daniel Davis, the urbane colored boy who, under the direction of Mr. Wooding, dispensed ‘the hospitalities of the house’ in the most approved and satisfactory manner.
“Were we to record herein the numerous telegrams and letters of congratulation received by Mr. Plant from his many friends who were unable personally to be present in Atlanta, we would have to publish a second edition to retain a pamphlet form of this little volume. We must, therefore, content ourselves with saying to one and all who so thoughtfully remembered Mr. Plant on the occasion of his anniversary, that their kindly sentiments were highly appreciated by him, and to each and every one, through these columns, he returns his sincere thanks.